What Are St. Joseph County Public Records?
St. Joseph County administers public records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. According to the Act, public records include all data and documents that public officials create, own, preserve, or update while carrying out the county's business. These records may be handwritten, typed, or recorded in audio or video format.
Although state law mandates that county administrators provide the public with government-generated records upon request, not all public records are available for disclosure. Some documents are confidential and only available to certain parties under the following conditions:
- If the information's release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of an individual's privacy;
- If the information's release would interfere with law enforcement proceedings;
- If the information's release would deprive a person of the right to a fair trial or impartial administrative adjudication;
- If the information's release would disclose the identity of a confidential information source;
- If the information relates to an ongoing criminal investigation;
- If the information would reveal law enforcement investigative techniques or procedures;
- If the information would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel;
- Information specifically described and exempted from disclosure by statute;
- Trade secrets or commercial or financial information;
- Information or records subject to attorney-client privilege;
- Information or records subject to the physician-patient privilege
St. Joseph County Crime Statistics
The Michigan State Police collects crime and arrest data from local law enforcement in St. Joseph County. It pools the data it gets and publishes them in its Annual Crime Report.
According to the CJIC's 2017 report, law enforcement reported 179 violent crimes and 1095 property crimes in St. Joseph County. They reported one murder, 44 rape cases, four robberies, and 130 cases of aggravated assault among the violent crimes. Among property crimes, St. Joseph County law enforcement reported 179 burglaries, 848 cases of larceny, and 73 cases of vehicular theft.
Per the CJIC's 2020 report, violent crimes and property crimes in St. Joseph County rose by 57.5% and 1%, respectively. Local law enforcement recorded 282 violent crimes and 1107 property crimes. There were two murders, 47 rape cases, fifteen robberies, and 218 cases of aggravated assault. In addition, there were 261 burglaries, 668 cases of larceny, and 178 cases of vehicular theft.
Are St. Joseph Criminal Records Public?
Yes, the public can access St. Joseph County criminal records upon request. The St. Joseph County Sheriff Office generates, stores, and distributes criminal records. Thus, anyone interested in getting St. Joseph criminal records can submit requests to the Sheriff's Office at:
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department
P.O. Box 339
650 East Main Street
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-9045
Statewide, the Michigan State Police is responsible for disseminating criminal records and allows the public to search for name-based criminal records through its Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
How To Obtain St. Joseph County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office creates and disseminates police reports and arrest records to interested parties upon request. Anyone that wants to get St. Joseph County police reports and arrest records can submit in-person requests to:
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department
P.O. Box 339
650 East Main Street
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-9045
How To Find Sex Offender Information In St. Joseph County
According to Michigan law, anyone convicted of a sex offense must register their details with the Sheriff's Office, which forwards those details to the Michigan State Police. The State stores all convicted sex offender information on its online sex offender registry. Anyone can search the registry for St. Joseph County sex offenders by inputting the offender's full name. In addition, researchers can find offender information using their address or zip code.
How to Find St. Joseph County Inmate Information
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office keeps an updated log with information on inmates housed in the County Jail. Anyone interested in obtaining St. Joseph County inmate information can submit in-person requests to:
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department
P.O. Box 339
650 East Main Street
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-9045
Individuals that wish to find St. Joseph County inmate information online can query the Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Information Tracking System. This portal allows the public to find inmate information using their name, gender, age, race, or MDOC number.
How Do I Visit An Inmate In St. Joseph County Jail?
Friends and family may visit St. Joseph County Jail inmates according to the following visitation schedule:
- Daytime hours: Mondays to Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Evening hours: Mondays to Thursdays 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Inmates must register intending visitors on a list and obtain approval before they can visit. Each inmate may receive two thirty-minute visits each week and can only see two visitors per visit. All visitors must provide valid identification to access the facility, and adults must accompany minors at all times.
The address for the St. Joseph County Jail is below:
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department
P.O. Box 339
650 East Main Street
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-9045
St. Joseph County Court Records
St. Joseph County Court records refer to the documents that court officials generate and store during official court proceedings. The St. Joseph County Circuit Court handles most criminal and civil court cases and makes records available to the public upon request.
Interested persons may also obtain St. Joseph County court records online through the Michigan Court's online searchable portal. The addresses for St. Joseph County's courts are below:
St. Joseph County Circuit Court
45th Circuit Court - St. Joseph
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5531
Fax: (269) 467-5558
3B District Court - St. Joseph
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 67
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5505 (Civil)
Phone: (269) 467-5627 (Criminal)
Phone: (269) 467-5503 (Traffic)
Fax: (269) 467-5658
St. Joseph County Probate Court
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 190
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5538
Fax: (269) 467-5560
Are St. Joseph County Court Records Public?
Yes. Per Michigan Court Rule 8.119(E), the public can request and access St. Joseph County court records. However, this rule does not apply to all court records. Per state rules, some court records are not publicly available. These include:
- Information related to mediation;
- Jury questionnaires;
- Grand jury information;
- Drug court participation records;
- Crime victim addresses and telephone numbers;
- Infectious disease testing results;
- Search warrants within sixty-five days of issuance;
- Adoption records;
- Waivers of parental consent for abortions;
- Wills filed for safekeeping.
How To Obtain St. Joseph County Civil Court Case Records
The St. Joseph County Circuit Court tries most civil cases and stores records from 1833 to the present. Interested persons can obtain St. Joseph County civil court case records online, in person, or by mail-in request.
In-person and mail-in requesters must complete a Copy and File Review Request form and submit them to the St. Joseph County Clerk at the following address:
County Clerk & Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5531 (Court Division)
Phone: (269) 467-5603 (General Division)
Individuals that wish to get online access to St. Joseph County civil court case records may query the Michigan Court online searchable portal. Researchers must provide the parties' full names or the case number.
How To Obtain St. Joseph County Criminal Court Records
In St. Joseph County, the 45th Circuit Court is responsible for hearing most criminal cases. On the other hand, the County Clerk stores St. Joseph County criminal court records from 1833 to the present and makes them publicly available upon request. Interested persons may access them online, in-person, and by mail-in request.
Individuals that wish to obtain St. Joseph County criminal court records by in-person or mail-in requesters must complete a Copy and File Review Request form. Once completed, they may submit the form to the following address:
County Clerk & Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5531 (Court Division)
Phone: (269) 467-5603 (General Division)
Online requesters for St. Joseph County criminal court records may access them on the Michigan Court online searchable portal. Researchers must provide the parties' full names or the case number.
What Are St. Joseph County Vital Records?
St. Joseph County vital records refer to documents containing information on life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the county. The St. Joseph County Clerk & Register of Deeds keeps track of marriage, divorce, birth, and death records and makes them available to the public. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on the other hand, keeps track of all life events that occur in the state. Interested parties can request access to these records by contacting the government agencies responsible for them.
Where And How To Obtain St. Joseph County Divorce Records
The St. Joseph County Circuit Court issues divorce certificates in the county. The County Clerk and Register of Deeds’ office, however, make copies available to the public. Individuals interested in obtaining copies of St. Joseph County divorce records may visit the Clerk and Register of Deeds' Office at:
County Clerk & Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5531 (Court Division)
Phone: (269) 467-5603 (General Division)
Interested individuals can also obtain copies of St. Joseph County divorce verification letters from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in person or by mail-in request.
In-person requesters may visit the Michigan Vital Records office from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. They must provide accurate information, including the divorcees' names, the divorce location, and the divorce date. First copies of divorce verification letters cost $34, while additional copies (ordered simultaneously) cost $16 each.
South Grand Building
1st Floor
333 S Grand Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933 (corner of Grand & Kalamazoo)
Mail-in requesters can obtain copies of St. Joseph County divorce verification letters by completing a divorce record request form and attaching the $34 fee. Send completed applications to the following address:
Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
The Michigan Vital Records Office typically responds to mail requests in five weeks. However, individuals that require expedited service can obtain it for an additional $12. Send requests for expedited mail to:
Vital Records RUSH
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Where And How To Get Public St. Joseph County Marriage Records
The St. Joseph County Clerk and Recorder's Office issues marriage licenses and makes copies of marriage certificates available to the public. Members of the public who wish to get copies of St. Joseph County marriage certificates may request them in person or by mail.
Requesters must complete a marriage records request form and attach a cheque, or money order for $20 per initial copy and $10 per additional copy ordered simultaneously. Mail-in requesters must also include a stamped and self-addressed envelope to facilitate returns. Submit the request form to:
County Clerk & Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5531 (Court Division)
Phone: (269) 467-5603 (General Division)
Where And How To Get St. Joseph County Birth Records
The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office is responsible for generating birth records and certificates in the country. However, it only gives copies of St. Joseph County birth certificates to the registrant, their parents, and their legal representatives.
Eligible persons can request copies of St. Joseph County birth certificates in person or by mail. Requesters must complete a birth record request form and attach a copy of valid identification. They must also pay $20 for the first copy and $10 per additional copy. In-person requesters may pay in cash, but mail-in requesters must pay by money order, payable to St. Joseph County Clerk. Submit or mail the completed application to:
County Clerk & Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5603 (General Division)
Where And How To Get St. Joseph County Death Records
Members of the public that are interested in getting copies of St. Joseph County death records can request them from the County Clerk's Office in person or by mail. They must complete a death record request form and attach a copy of valid identification. They must also pay $20 for the first copy and $10 per additional copy. In-person requesters may pay in cash, but mail-in requesters must pay by money order, payable to St. Joseph County Clerk. Submit or mail the completed application to:
County Clerk & Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-5603 (General Division)
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
